DA: Drug counselor helped boyfriend before his drug overdose

Nov. 03, 2017

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Prosecutors say a drug counselor provided her boyfriend clean urine samples and helped him avoid an arrest before he died from a drug overdose.

In an announcement Thursday, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said the 25-year-old woman is now facing charges of tampering with evidence, obstructing the administration of law and furnishing drug-free urine.

Martin says Allentown police responding to reports of a drug overdose Oct. 28 found 29-year-old Michael Rubery dead with heroin and needles around his body.

Police seized a cellphone found nearby, and investigators uncovered messages between Rubery and the drug counselor.

Martin says the woman helped Rubery pass drug tests, informed him about an impending arrest and hid his location from law enforcement after the arrest warrant was issued Oct. 20.